Can-opener



" (No Model.)

W. J. HAMMER.

I CAN OPENER. N o. 3.69,'108. Patentet i Aug 30, 1887.

Willi N. PETERS. Phole-Lilhognphen wmi a UN TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM J. HAMMER, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

CAN- OPENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 369,108, dated August 30, 1887.

Application filed February 7, 1887. Serial No. 226,759. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM J. HAMMER,

' of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, haveinvented a certain new and useful'Improvethent in Gan-Openers, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to produce a simple, cheap, and effective form of can-opener; and my invention consists in the novel devices and combinations of devices employed by me in accomplishing this object, as hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional view of a can-opener embodying my invention in operation upon a can; Fig. 2, a top view of the instrument, and Fig. 3 a top view of a modified form of the instrument.

A A is a spring clasp or holder for grasping a can, consisting of two curved springs, each terminating in a straight portion, B, the two parts B, when the holder is compressed, forming together a handle for the holder. From the holder a standard, 0, extends, consisting of a curved rigid metal piece,to which the springs of the holder are attached on opposite sides, as seen at a, Figs. 1 and 2. The standard extends out over the center of the holder, terminating in a sleeve, a, through which slides a rod, D, terminating in a point, I), and having at its upper end a handle, 0, for turning the rod. Below the standard the rod carries the cross-bar E, which, in Figs. 1 and 2, extends out in opposite directions from the rod. The ends d of the bar are turned downwardly and have cutting-edges on one side preferably, the ends .also being preferably oppositely turned horizontallyinthedirectionofcutting. Knives are thus formed for cutting the top of the can. The knives may, however, extend straight down and have cutting-edges on both sides, so that the cutting may be accomplished by turning the handle in either direction.

The spring-holder being opened, it is placed around the can F, as shown, and the handleis compressed by the hand of the operator, so as to grasp the can firmly. The point I; then rests on the top of the can, and by striking or pressing down on .the handle 0 the point is forced into the center of the can, and the knives are also forced into it at opposite points. Then by turning the handle the knives turn on the pivot formed by the point and cut through the metal of the can, so as to remove the top thereof.

In Fig. 3 certain modifications are shown. One of these is for the purpose of so cutting the can that an uncut part may be left at any point, so that the cover may be bent back and the can be closed by bending it down again, if desired. To this end the knives are set at an angle to each other, the bar E being turned at an angle at its middle part instead of being straight. to a certain point the other will have reached the slot already cut by the preceding knife, and the operation being then stopped a portion of the can will remain uncut. In this figure also is shown an adjustment for the holder, whereby it may be madeto accommodate a can of unusual size. Such an adjustment will not ordinarily be necessary, for the springs adjust themselves to the different sizes. The adjusting device maybe provided, however, so that the instrumentmay be used with cans of unusually large size, such as are sometimes met with. A screw, h, passes through the standard and the end of the springs, having a head, i, at one end and a turning nut, It, at the other, by turning which the springs may be brought farther apart or closer together. By this device,also, ahinged standard is provided, whereby the standard and knives may be thrown back off the can, if desired. A hinge may also be provided with the non-adjustable holder shown in the other figures, as will be readily understood.

The interior surfaces of the holder may be slightly corrugated or roughened, as shown at Z, Fig. 1, so that a firmer hold may be obtained.

The constructions above described furnish a strong and durable device, which is convenient, certain, and rapid in its operation and can be cheaply made.

What I claim is- 1. In a canopener, the combination of a spring clasping-holder, provided with a handle, and a knife supported from said holderin a position to operate upon the can when the holder is placed thereon, substantially as set forth.

2. In a can-opener, the combination, with a Thus when one knife hascutaround.

spring clasping-holder provided with a hancaUy-opposite points, substantially as set 10 die, of astandard extending therefrom over the forth. top of the can, a pointed turning rod sliding This specification signed and witnessed this through said standard, and a knife carried by 24th day of January, 1887.

5 said rod, substantially as set forth.

3. In a can-opener, the combination of the HAMMER turning rod and the cross-bar carried thereby, Witnesses: having a knife at each end set so that said Jns. W. ORosnY, knives enter the can at other than diametric- GEO. E. SPILLER. 

